Qld Govt considers stock route management options

The State Government is finalising possible management options after a review of Queensland's extensive stock route network.

With drought continuing to impact across much of the interior, stock routes have been busy over recent months.

Local councils have the task of managing the routes, some of which have not seen drovers for decades.

The Department of Natural Resources says the review has looked at the 72,000-kilometre network of stock routes and reserves comprising 2.6 million hectares.

It says reform has been a long-term process, with the review initiated after the 2002 drought.

The department also confirmed it revoked the Winton Shire Council's decision to refuse one drover a permit to use a route in recent weeks.

It says its decision was made in accordance with legislation, which does not discriminate between stock from interstate or Queensland.

Barcaldine Mayor Rob Chandler says there should be another review of the state's stock route network because there are still issues of confusion.

Councillor Chandler says the costs involved for councils managing the stock routes are large and can be a drain on council reserves.

However, he says councils do welcome travelling stock if there is enough feed.

"I think there should be a review, absolutely," he said.

"We have to be welcoming, the stock routes are there for a purpose.

"The only time that we would interfere is if once the stock routes are eaten out, and there is no more feed there, and then it would become an animal husbandry matter.

"We would most probably close those routes when there is not enough feed for travelling stock."

He says there are some routes being used now that have not seen drovers for a long time.

"Yes some of the inactive routes wouldn't have been used for a long, long time but the primary routes now coming down from Mount Isa, through Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine and down to Blackall-Tambo, they are in the grips of a very, very dry time," he said.

"The stock routes are being eaten out now fairly quickly ... each mob of cattle is around 1,600 or 1,800 head ... they are having an effect on the routes as we speak."